06 April 2023 , 11:33
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A Russian tourist was deported from Bali after a semi-naked photo he took on a sacred mountain went viral.
Yuri Chilikin, 24, was removed from the popular Indonesian island on Tuesday and was deported to Moscow via Dubai, Balinese immigration authorities said.
The tourist was deported for stripping off his clothes and posting a photo of himself naked from the waist down at Mount Agung, Bali's highest mountain and a sacred religious site, on Instagram.
Following backlash, Mr Chikilin removed the photo and published an apology video, blaming his "personal ignorance" and saying there is "no excuse" for his actions.
Immigration officers escorting Russian national Yuri Chilikin at the airport in Denpasar (BALI IMMIGRATION OFFICE/AFP via)
Mr Chilikin won't be able to re-enter Indonesia for at least six months (BALI IMMIGRATION OFFICE/AFP via)He said: "There is no excuse for my actions. The only thing that led to what happened was my personal ignorance.
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"Agung is a sacred symbol for the Balinese. After studying the culture and religion of Bali, I realised my mistake."
He also said he took part in an "offering ceremony to the Gods" which made him feel "calm and clear".
He added: "I did everything to correct this situation – and for the rest (I was) showed a good lesson on how not to behave."
Yuri Chilikin posed half naked on top of a sacred mountain (Jam Press)After being deported, Mr Chilikin faces a six-month ban from entering Indonesia as authorities increased efforts to crack down on the behaviour of foreign tourists.
A photo released by Bali immigration authorities shows Mr Chikilin wearing a backpack and holding a cup of coffee at the Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar.
Spokesperson Barron Ichsan said: "Please enjoy Bali by adhering to regulations. If you commit a violation, we will not hesitate to take firm action."
Recently, Bali revealed plans to ban holidaymakers from renting motorbikes due to traffic laws being flouted.
He published a video to apologise (Jam Press Vid)
The tourist's photo caused backlash (Jam Press Vid)Bali governor Wayan Koster said the changes, being introduced this year, will allow tourists to rent cars from travel agents, but not motorbikes.
He said the policy comes after a series of incidents in which foreigners violated traffic rules.
Mr Koster said: "Borrowing or renting motorbikes is no longer allowed.
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"As tourists, [you should] act as tourists, using the vehicles prepared by travel agents, instead of roaming around with motorbikes, without wearing T-shirts and clothes, with no helmets, violating [traffic rules], and even without a licence."